ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both men and women, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. That's because females often don't exhibit the same levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they could be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, however, there are other options.
1. Trouble focusing
Women suffering from ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they're also having difficulty being focused on their conversations and tasks, especially if they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattention ADHD also have problems with their working memory, making it difficult to remember basic things like appointments or forthcoming events. They may forget where they left their car keys or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home after a the spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.
Procrastination, and the inability to stick with plans are other signs of ADHD among adult females. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. They feel shame and mistakenly label their problems as "bad behaviours" or "character defects". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment, giving them a clear, external explanation of their struggles and helping them accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can result in a myriad of negative consequences, including behavioral issues, academic problems, relationship and family problems, and coexisting mental health conditions. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can dramatically enhance the lives of people suffering from ADHD at all stages of life. Treatment options include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD have difficulty completing tasks or duties. They might forget important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities, and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They could also be more susceptible to make mistakes that aren't their fault, have trouble managing their time well, and overestimate how long it takes to complete tasks.
Women with ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD like mood swings or irritability especially frustrating. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, including those that occur during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD can be frustrated and disappointed by their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Women with ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping extremely challenging. They might have a difficult recalling to take out the trash or switch off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by little objects around them. They may also have difficulty with monotonous tasks like washing dishes or folding laundry. Boring or mundane chores can become exhausting and cause impulsive behavior like excessive talking or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD might also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as relationships, you should seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance the quality of your life and assist you in achieving success in your professional and personal life. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. You can reduce lapses in concentration and attention by adhering to a set schedule using a planner, or a reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleeping habits. Exercise can also help you focus because it increases brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. symptoms of ADHD in adults is difficult to remember names.
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be accompanied by other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions or completing projects. This is due to an inability of organizing and prioritizing tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This symptom also tends to worsen during periods of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopause.
Forgetting names can feel even more frustrating when it's accompanied by a feeling of forgetfulness about larger items like appointments and events, or personal reminders. These lapses may also be caused by depression or anxiety which are frequently associated with ADHD in women.
Due to gender biases and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed among women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. As a result, they are under-identified and under-referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination due to the fact that ADHD tends to be seen as a condition that affects boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones who are most frequently taken to clinics and assessed for treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, female symptoms differ from those of men. Many professionals are unable to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD as they reach adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships and set you up for success at school and work and offer the help you require to succeed in your life. Speak to a Salience Health provider if you're interested in being diagnosed. We will be able to assess your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have inattention symptoms and their issues may seem insignificant to other people. They may not remember to do chores at home, miss appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They might also struggle with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding social boundaries. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation between family and friends, and can also cause feelings of isolation and loneliness.
In addition, women who suffer from untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. They might struggle with the burden of caring for children and household chores, and this societal pressure can increase their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. If left untreated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem in women. They may turn to unhealthy ways of coping such as binge-eating and watching marathons of TV.
The challenges of ADHD for women could be added to by gender biases in how girls and women are viewed as well as how clinicians assess them. Some research suggests that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and may be less likely than men and boys to be referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in recognizing their symptoms. They may be confused with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This can contribute to a false diagnosis and delayed or improper treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormone fluctuations, and they are most noticeable during the ovulation cycle, pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause. These changes can cause women to be more annoyed with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chance of being misunderstood or viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women also experience the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They might also have trouble controlling their emotions, and may be susceptible to "foot in the mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a significant impact on relationships and professional life.
The brain part that is responsible for the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can prevent individuals from making poor choices since it serves as an alarm. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it difficult for them to resist urges and prevent themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also result in an inability to respect themselves. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting conversations, completing others' sentences, and speaking too much).
Women can also experience problems with impulse control when their hormones are fluctuating. Estrogen fluctuates in different intervals throughout the menstrual period, pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal cycle. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that impact the woman's ADHD symptoms.
The way ADHD symptoms are expressed in girls and women can vary from those of boys and men and is one of the reasons they are often underdiagnosed. This is why many adults with ADHD are unaware of the fact that they suffer from it. The good news is, diagnosing and treating ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life an individual. If you're not sure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD, talk to your doctor and see how they can assist. Treatment options include medications as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.